Anambra governorship: UPP candidate promises even development

The governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, Prof. Benedict Ndubuisi Akanegbu, has urged the people of the state to vote him as their next governor, promising to carry them along in his programme to development the state, if elected.
Akanegbu, a university don and consultant to the World Bank, who was presented to the media in Abuja by the leadership of the party, stressed that Anambra State will change for good if he is elected governor.
“As the man to beat in the November 16, 2013 election, I promise to carry all our people in the state along and ensure even development throughout the state, when, through the grace of God, we assume office in Awka,” Akanegbu said.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has commended the party’s candidate whom he said displayed unprecedented commitment and loyalty to the party.
Okorie, who spoke after the NEC meeting of the party in Abuja, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to appreciate the seriousness and significance of conducting a credible and transparent election in Anambra State.
According to him, the success or failure of INEC in the Anambra State election will have great impact on the much awaited 2015 general election.
Nigerians and the world are watching with keen interest, he said.
He reiterated the call of the party’s National Executive Committee on the National Assembly and INEC to do whatever is necessary to enact the enabling law and bring into practice the use of the Electronic Voting System for the 2015 general election.
He said: “The usual escapist excuse that Nigeria is not ripe for such technology flies in the face of the fact that countries that are clearly behind Nigeria in technological advancement have since commenced the use of Electronic Voting System and their democracies are the better for it.”
Okorie pledged to carry out a very co-ordinated, credible and intensive campaign in Anambra State that will be issue based, devoid of mudslinging, name-calling and violence.
He added: “We urge other political parties to do the same.”